Wrist watch bracelet



' G. SCHMIDT WRIST WATCH BRACELET l April 16, 1946.

4 Y Snventor, T 65026550/1/14/07- 76:4/ Gttorneg,

Patented Apr. 16, 1946 WRIST WATCH BRACELET George Schmidt, Los Angeles, Calif.

substituted for abandoned application Serial No. 420,467, November 26, 1941. This application November 22, 1944, Serial No. 564,6391/2 2 Claims.

My invention relates to ilexible bands with releasable clasps particularly adapted to be associated with a wrist watch and to releasably embrace the wrist of the wearer.

An object of the invention is to provide a novel band and novel releasable clasp of simple but satisfactory and sturdy construction, affording a maximum of comfort to the wearer, and ease, simplicity and quickness in removing or securing the band from or to the users wrist,

An object of the invention is to provide a novel strap or band for wrist watches in the nature of a chain thus securing and permitting substantial circulation of air between the band and the skin of the wearer.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel band formed in part from a standard product which is readily utilized in the flexible band of my invention to secure unique results.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel releasable clasp of small dimensions but which is readily and easily operated and which securely holds the parts when, closed.

Another object of the invention is to provideV a novel clasp construction having great strength proportionately to the small size of the clasp and which is practically impossible to inadvertently open.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel clasp which when closed prow vides a particularly neat and attractive appearance free of any protuberances.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a novel band and associated parts that are simple and inexpensive but rugged in conbination of parts more particularly hereinafter described in detail and pointed out in the claims.

Other objects, advantages and features of invention may appear from ti accompanying drawing, the subjcined detail description and the appended claims.

The accompanying drawing illustrates the invention in a form I at present deem preferable.

Figure l is a face view of a wrist watch showing the attaching loops for the flexible element of the bracelet that is shown in imaginary wrist encircling position.

Figure 2 is an edge View of a wrist watch provided with a ilexible band and associated parts constructed in accordance with my invention and showing the clasp in closed position.

Figure 3 is a bottom view of the parts as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

Figure 4 is a view similar to Figure 2 but showing the clasp in released or opened position and one side of the flexible element being partly extended through its respective attaching loop.

Figure 5 is a view similar to Figure 3 but with the clasp members separated to show the coact ing faces thereof.`

Figure 6 is a cross-sectional view, on enlarged scale, taken on line 6-6, Figure 2,and looking in the direction ofthe arrows.

Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view or the clasp taken on line '1 -1, Figure 6, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Figure 8 is a cross-sectional view of one of the clasps, on enlarged scale, taken on line 8-8, Figure 1, and looking in the direction of the arrows.

Flexible bands intended to be worn for considerable periods, such as bands or straps for wrist watches, should, for maximum comfort, provide for free circulation of air to the skin of the wearer in order that the natural moisture which continually reaches the exterior of the skin can evaporate, otherwise this moisture is liable to enter joints in the flexible band, or the material of the band, and clasp, besides causing a feeling of discomfort to the wearer. It follows, therefore, that the clasp itself should be small as practicable without reducing the security of its grip.

The band of a wrist watch, in particular, should have maximum ilexibility since the muscles of the wrist are in constant use.

The initial adjustment to adapt a band from stock to the various diameters of different users wrists should be readily effected, and minor later adjustment provided for, both to accurately inif tially fit the wearer and to compensate for changes in weight which varies considerable in some people in relatively short periods.

These requirements are met in my invention by the use of a chain preferably of the twisted link type in which the links lie at. A wrist watch bracelet may be made up from'a predeterminal length ofV such chain so as to embrace the average maximum diameter of wrist and the attaching loops may be threaded thereon and the ends of the chain temporarily secured toV opposed parts of a separable clasp, so that the prospective user may have the necessary number of links taken from the chain, and the separable clasp parts secured in place to encircle the wrist with the desired degree of snugness. However, should he later vwish to have the length of the chain lengthened or shortened to accommodate a varireadily made by releasing one endof the chain from 'its associated clasp part, and then securing the end of the chain to its clasp member.

The flexible band construction comprises a length of flexible material such as the chain I, one end of which is secured to one part or base element 2, `of a separable clasp, C, that is ultimately arranged at approximately the center of the chain and secured thereto by a pressed out lug 2a. The chain I passes through a chain attaching loop 3 through which the chain is freely slidable. A loop 3 is arranged on each side of the clasp element 2 and each loop 3 is provided With a tubular bearing A that isiheld in position by brazing or soldering thereto a lug B that is pressed out of the underside of loop 3. The bearing A receives the spring bar c of the watch.

A second clasp element 4 which forms a cover or locking member for clasp element 2 is secured to the other end of chain I after the chain is threaded through chain attaching loop element 3.

The clasp base element 2 is preferably in the form of a flat hollow rectangular box or housing, but need not necessarily be of such form. Referring to Figures 2, 6, and 7, it will be seen that the surface D of the clasp base 2 next to the Wearers skin, which will be called bottom, is imperforated and a member E having sides 5 and S is soldered to bottom D a short distance inwardly from the sides thereof, so as to leave a slight flange F extending therealong. The sides 5 and 6 are slightly bulged intermediate their longitudinal edges, the purpose of which will be hereinafter explained. The ends of member E are provided with centrally disposed depending bracing lugs or sides I and 8 that are soldered to bottom member D, providing openings on each side thereof for reception and passage of the chain I. The top surface of member E is provided with the pressed out lug 2a and with a centrally arranged elongated slot 9 extending in the direction of the chain I, and an elongated out out or recess I9 is arranged on the side of the central slot 9 opposite'to the pressed out lug 2a and joins one of the apertures in the side. A second struck out lug lI is provided on the same side of slot 9 as cut out I9 but toward the opposite edge' of the top of element E. An aperture I2 is provided in side Wall E below pressed out lug 2a enabling this lug to be pushed upwardly by inserting a pointed tool and to release the chain I from the lug 2a to provide for adjustment, if necessary.

The clasp element 4 is formed like the cover of a box and ts closely over member E of the clasp ,vide cut out portions on each side of such depending members I3, I4 through which strands 'of chain I extend, The depending portion I3, Figures 5 and '7, is preferably of a height such that a nger nail may be easily inserted underneath it when it is desired to release'or separate the clasp members, and the other'portion I4 is provided with a rounded and extended end to facilitate longitudinal positioning ,of the part 4 on the Vbase 2 when .closing the clasp. Prefer- `ation in wrist diameter, the adjustment can be ably I form the sides of the clasp parts 2 and 4 with a slight convex curve so that the natural elasticity of the metal holds the part 4 snugly on part 2.

On the underside of the top of element 4 a lug I5 is provided and shaped to snugly fit in aperture or slot 9 formed in the top of element 2. This 4configuration of the parts acts to resist the forces tending to slide parts 2 and 4 longitudinally over one another. Also on the underside of the top of element 4 of the clasp, a hook I 6 (Figure 5) of readily deformed metal is provided and is soldered in position to be received in aperture Il) of element 2. This hook I6 serves to secure one end of the chain to clasp element 4.

In order to enable the flexible member or chain I to move freely with respect to the chain attaching loop members 3 which are pivotally secured to the watch, they are formed substantially of D-shape in cross-section (Fig. 4) with the tubular bearings A being soldered to the straight side of the D while the rounded side is preferably shaped in a slight curvature to facilitate sliding of the chain through the loops 3.

In use, the invention will be made in assembled form and detached from the wrist watch or other object with which it is to be associated and the chain I will be of predetermined length and secured to the clasp member 2 by the lug or struck out member II which, it will be noted, extends in a direction such that a pull on the chain will more securely tend to depress the lug I I to maintain it in holding position. The chain is then passed through an attaching loop 3 then through the clasp member 2 on the side opposite lug II and opening In and the lug 2a is not depressed so that the strand of the chain I underneath lug 2a may freely pass through clasp member 2. The chain is then passed through a second attaching loop 3 and connected to the hook I6 which is only slightly depressed.

When it is desired to associate the bracelet with a wrist Watch, the old strap or bracelet is first removed in the usual manner and then the lefthand attaching loop 3 is secured to the watch by the usual spring bar of the watch, and the chain is then adjusted relative to the Watch and the left-hand attaching loop 3 and the clasp C by positioning the Watch on one side of the wrist and the clasp in the diametrical opposite side of the Wrist and then pulling the chain through clasp 2 underneath lug 2a until the desired position is obtained then the lug 2a Will be depressed to maintain the chain in such adjusted position. Then the other attaching loop is secured to the watch and the end of chain connected to clasp member 4 is usually shortened by cutting olf the desired number of chain links and then the end link of the chain is secured to hook I6 by depressing the same.

When the clasp members are associated with each other in closed position, the friction of the slight curvature of the sides of the clasp prevent the clasp members from being accidentally separated and the lug I5 tting into slot 9 Vhelps to keep the parts from being separated longitudinally due to end pull of the chain elements on the clasp and also such lug I 5 reduces side strain on the vclasp members thereby maintaining the frictional engagement qualities of the clasp for an indefinite period.

It will also be noted that the hook and lug II secure the freeends of the chain to the clasp adjacent to each other so that end pull of the chain on the clasp members is further equalized.

I claim:

l. The combination of a nexible watch band and a separable clasp therefor, comprising a length of link chain, a separable clasp comprising a box like clasp part having side openings through which the chain is passed, deformable retaining means carried by and extending within said clasp part to which said chain is secured intermediate its length, a second deformable retaining means arranged within said clasp part to which one end of said chain is secured, and another clasp part tting closely over said rst clasp part and provided with deformable retaining means to which the other end of said chain is secured, the two clasp parts being formed with co-acting surfaces acting to resist relative movement of the clasp parts in vertical and transverse directions, said box like clasp part being provided with an imperforate bottom element, t

and the remainder of the box like clasp part corn prising a top element provided with a retaining aperture, a cut out portion, side elements at the ends of the box like part transverse of the band having said side openings to receive the chain,

.one of said openings extending into said cut out portion in the top element, and side elements longitudinal of the band, one of which is provided with an aperture to gain access to said deformable retaining means; said second clasp part being adapted to snap over the first clasp part and having an imperforate top and two imperforate sides, the remaining sides comprising depending portions engaging with the sides of the first clasp part intermediate the chain receiving apertures therein. 2. The combination of a flexible band and sep arable clasp therefor, as set forth in claim l, having two chain attaching loops one arranged on each side of said clasp to freely slide on said flexible member between said clasp and the end of said exible member, said attaching loops being provided with `means for attachment to a watch, and being formed with a slight curvature on the side opposite the attaching means to facilitate sliding of the exible band therethrough.

l GEORGE SCHMIDT. 

